English Vinglish: The Role of ‘Homemaker’ in a New Light

KAKALI DAS

In Gauri Shinde’s “English Vinglish,” (2012) we accompany Shashi Godbole, portrayed by Sri Devi, on both a literal and metaphorical journey, prompting us to reconsider our perceptions of the conventional Indian homemaker.

Since watching the movie, I’ve been greatly drawn to the character ‘Shashi Godbole’. It resonates with every woman who is a homemaker in the country, tirelessly caring for their home, children, husband, and elderly without any complaints, setting aside their dreams and aspirations, and with little to no appreciation or adulation at all.

English Vinglish: The Role of ‘Homemaker’ in a New Light

In Hindi cinema, women frequently portray roles as main leads or supporting characters, embodying the role of a homemaker who serves as the familial glue, prioritizing her family’s happiness and success over her own needs. Often, her primary conflicts stem from the challenges faced by her family members.

The homemaker in Hindi cinema is frequently depicted as a guardian of family values, characterized by conservative dress and a reluctance to engage in public displays of affection with her persistent husband, for fear of family scrutiny. Many films contrast her behaviour with that of a Western career woman to illustrate the idealized traits of a traditional Indian woman.

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Her sense of self-worth often hinges on how her husband, children, and in-laws treat her, leading to a skewed family power dynamic favouring them. In “English Vinglish,” this dynamic is intensified when Shashi’s inability to speak English like her husband and children causes them to belittle her as ‘gawar’ (rustic, uneducated).

Her daughter feels embarrassed and questions Shashi’s authority due to her lack of English education. Despite feeling consistently unhappy and insecure, Shashi continues to selflessly serve her family until circumstances compel her to travel alone to the US to help prepare for her niece’s wedding.

When she leaves the comfort of her home, Shashi initially misses her family, but as they respond harshly to her attempts to connect, she begins to adapt to her new environment. She explores the city, enrols in English classes, and embarks on a journey of self-discovery.

She becomes comfortable learning new things and making friends, but more importantly, she starts to recognize her own capabilities in a new light. This evolution is most starkly depicted in how she perceives herself.

“Man cooking – Art. Lady cooking – daily job, duty” – Shashi, in her broken English, expresses dishearteningly in the movie.

Abroad, Shashi receives considerable appreciation for her talent in making amazing ladoos (an Indian spherical sweet), a skill her husband dismisses. Through these experiences, she gradually recognizes the value of her talents and the multitude of skills she excels in as a homemaker.

Through her interactions in this new environment, it becomes clear that while Shashi may fulfil a traditional family role, her thinking is far from backward.

In the movie, Shashi’s niece tells her, ‘If I label you as a typical Indian housewife when you’re actually a free-thinking woman, people would call me judgmental.'”

This is most evident in how she discusses the issues of homophobia with her fellow student, Salman, and in her response to Laurent’s romantic advances.

Shashi is not portrayed as morally superior; she is a flawed individual who pretends to be sick to attend her English classes in secret and finds herself attracted to another man. When her family joins her for the wedding in New York, Shashi is conflicted. The situation intensifies when her son has an accident, prompting her to reassess her priorities. Ultimately, she decides to prioritize her family, managing to continue her English classes remotely with Laurent’s assistance.

Similar to her niece, we begin to question whether Shashi is making the right choice. However, it’s a small exchange towards the end of the film that reveals the reason behind her decision.

“Thank you for making me feel good about myself,” Shashi expresses her gratefulness to Laurent.

The journey Shashi has embarked on has empowered her to embrace self-love and take pride in her abilities. She comes to understand that her unhappiness doesn’t originate from her own discomfort, but rather from her family’s lack of respect for her and the pivotal role she plays.

“I don’t need more love. What I need is a little bit of respect” – Shashi.

During her wedding toast, she boldly asserts her demand for respect, emphasizing the importance of viewing marriage as a partnership of equals and ensuring that the family is a space where every member feels respected and content.

And with that, we see the homemaker in a new light—not merely as someone obligated to be unconditionally devoted to her family, but as someone who consciously chooses to fulfil that role, deserving respect from both her family and society for her dedication.

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